New Galactic Sport: Reek Riding

In the galaxy, there is a single constant that unites man and woman, Human and Wookiee, Zeltron and Falleen: sports. At the heart of the individual, once you remove the political drapes that seem to cover every inch of living space, you find that competitive ambition. Recently, a new sport has hit galactic highlights: Reek Riding. Initially just an Outer Rim competition to prove one's battle prowess and kill time, it has since gained increasing popularity since its first debut on Iridonia. Picked up by the Galactic Sports Association under the banner of the Galactic Reek Riding Association, it was led to screaming success by its creator Ruben Wan, as twenty-two participants and four teams all fought for dominance over the massive reeks. Since its start in the galactic field on Day 105 of this year, the event has attracted many more individuals around the galaxy, surging to thirty-six signed up riders and two extra teams, with arenas overflowing. Sponsors have also grown from the original two, with Baobab Merchant Fleet, The Octagon League, and Novastar Transportion supporting the sport.

Reek riding first originated in places such as Iridonia, being first used by the Zabrak race, as their massive size and their tough, almost armor like skin made the reeks suitable as war mounts. Eventually their use in battle declined, but reek riding continued to be a popular sport on Iridonia, and other worlds which fostered homes for the large, brutish animals. Therefore it is appropriate that the first event was held on one of the first worlds that reek competitions were first recorded.

Participation in the sport is easy, as one only needs to pay a seasonal license fee, and an entrance fee for each event the rider participates in. Additionally, for the brave and bold rider, there is a reward of twenty-five hundred thousand credits for the one who manages to ride the reek I'm a Gangster without being thrown. And although it is already in its fourteenth event, with six more events till season's end, riders may still sign up.

But is Reek Riding all what it's cut out to be? We asked one of the managers who handles the reeks at one of the training pits. The rules of the game are simple, he said. You just get up on that reek and hang on for about eight seconds, and don't fall off before the buzzer rings. It sounded simple enough. And as he indicated one of the reeks calmly standing in one of its stalls, it hardly seemed like any rider would have much trouble with such a calm creature. Yet in every event, half the riders are thrown off like ragdolls in a desert storm.

We decided to interview one of the riders and find out more on what it's like to actually be riding one of these massive beasts. As chance would have it, we were able to interview the top rider himself, Daniel Sadman. Daniel Sadman is one of the directors of BMF, and currently holds four championships, one silver, and one bronze badges. He has the most amount of accumulated points, and has been close to the top since the start of the season.

VP: Greetings Mr. Sadman. I understand you're one of the riders in the Reek Riding competition; and not only that, but have just recently hit the top of the scoreboards.

Daniel Sadman: Pleased to meet you sir. Yes, I'm a reek rider, maybe with more luck than others, but not more skillful.

VP: Not more skillful? I'm sure many of the others would argue that...after all you currently hold four championships, a second and third place, isn't that correct?

Daniel Sadman: That's correct sir, but I can assure you that my skills are more related to piloting ships than riding animals. I don't know... maybe I have some kind of empathy with the reeks. Certainly they treat me better than some of my fellow men. (laughs).

VP: So you'd call yourself something of an animal lover, and a natural around animals?

Daniel Sadman: Not at all. In fact I have spent my life outside of nature, either in space or in a city. The closest that I have ever had as a pet is R3-D5, present here at my side.

VP: I guess this must be a heck of a change of pace for you. How long have you been riding reeks now?

Daniel Sadman: A few months. Actually it all started as a game within Baobab, started by Ruben Wan. We played and bet between us, but more as a joke than anything serious.

VP: So you all bet on who could stay on the reeks the longest? When was it decided to actually make it a galactic sport?

Daniel Sadman: Exactly. I think it was so funny that Ruben decided to take it out of our little group. And what started as a friendly tournament ended in something huge that includes several systems. Definitely a lot bigger than we all thought it would be.

VP: Yes, it has gotten quite a bit of support and rage over the past few months. What do you think the future will hold for Reek Riding?

Daniel Sadman: I think it will keep growing. As a sport it is very new and people are beginning to know it just now. I think a galactic tournament isn't impossible, even between governments at war.

VP: That would definitely be something to see, members of the Imperial Union and the Galactic Alliance having it out on the field of sports. So tell me, from your experience, what is it like riding a reek?

Daniel Sadman: Mmm...it's unlike anything that I know. Riding a proton torpedo I think would be close enough...(laughs loudly).

VP: Describe it for us and the public, if you will.

Daniel Sadman: Well, I don't know if everyone has seen a reek before, but it is ugly as hell, and stronger than any other animal of its size. Add that they usually have a lousy mood and hate it when someone rides them. Basically one should avoid the reek throwing you to the ground, which is a very intense fight. Eventually the animal is successful, no matter how one strives to avoid it. That's why the tournament is to stay up as long as you can. When you are in the saddle, you can feel the tension beneath you. The reek has all its muscles tense and ready to strike you when the bell rings. It is also a time when the adrenaline and fear fills your body. The first few times are the hardest. Then you will learn some tricks and gain confidence. But it is still a dangerous sport. There is always the risk of being injured, despite the tournament's security measures.

VP: Yes, I hear it's required that all participants wear protective gear.

Daniel Sadman: Actually it is not required, but recommended. My teammate Davin usually only uses a tunic, but he is a Jedi.

VP: Have there been any injures since this event went galaxy wide?

Daniel Sadman: Mmmm.... nothing more serious than a broken leg, but the events have a great medical team ready to assist in case of an accident. Of course, you will receive a great shock when you fall, but I think some riders are more resistant than others.

VP: I guess it's lucky nothing major has happened, particularly a rider getting killed. Well that's all we have time for, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed Mr. Sadman.

Daniel Sadman: It was a pleasure.

And there we have it from one of the best, who admits that Reek Riding is a lot tougher than how he and second place champ Loorka Zkhar make it appear. Aside from the practice runs and training, Ait Maru is the only rider to have suffered an injury beyond a sprain, and only a broken thumb at that. Indeed, to hang on like that must have taken a tremendous amount of will, something that appears to be in high demand on the field. But although one expects the rider to get hurt, bruised, and broken trying to hang on, one never expects that brutish hunk of muscle to get injured. And yet, the reek nicknamed The Rocker was seriously hurt as he and rider crashed into the railing separating stands from the field. Luckily the rider was not seriously hurt, but the reek was forced into permanent retirement, and is currently enjoying itself at the Ithorian Retirement Home for Reeks.

So what prompted Mr. Ruben Wan to bring such a dangerous sport to the galaxy's front row seats? Was it past experience, a desire for more credits, or something else? We decided to ask him ourselves, and his views were rather enlightening.

VP: What inspired you to make this a galactic sport?

Ruben Wan: I've never ridden a reek, inspiration didn't come by direct experience. During one of my travels, I met a reek pack and was fascinated by their imposing figure. I suppose the fact that I'm an Iktotchi and they have horns like me has contributed to my sympathy for them. Once back home I started gathering information about reeks and discovered that they were used in seven main planets for farming and breeding. Reek riding was practiced but only at a very local level, and nobody wanted to invest time and credits to make this sport more popular. After much thinking and careful planning I decided to bring this sport to the galaxy at large myself.

VP: Animal activists would be against the enslavement of reeks and using them for sports such as this. How do you feel about that?

Ruben Wan: I have a clean conscience because I oversee personally to the GRRA pens. Not only reeks are not enslaved but also they are the co-stars of our shows. I have had the pleasure to pass the strict examinations of the Ithorians during the three events held there, and I'm confident nothing will change for the worse regarding reek management during my administration. If animal activists want to support the reeks' cause, then they can attend our shows and show support for the reeks instead of the riders. Many spectators are already doing that, actually.

Regardless of the danger, or perhaps because of the danger, there seems to be no end in sight for Reek Riding currently. The objections to the sport are far outweighed by the support it has had, with new riders coming in almost every event, and more individuals and companies sponsoring the sport. Whatever the risks, Reek Riding seems to be here to stay.